Kids 5 and up will soon need to wear masks indoors in B.C.
The provincial mask mandate will soon apply to B.C. children aged five and older.
B.C.'s health ministry told CTV News Friday that the existing public health order will be revised next week.
Kindergarten-aged and older children already need to wear masks in schools.
When the mandate is revised, they'll also need face coverings in indoor spaces including stores and malls, coffee shops and restaurants when not at a table, recreation centres and other locations.
Until the revision comes into effect, masks are required in all public indoor settings for people born in 2012 (age 9) or earlier.
When Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, first announced the expansion of the school-based mask mandate, she said the change was prompted by new data.
She cited a recent spike in cases involving children between the ages of five and 11.
"The majority of COVID transmission continues to occur in homes and through social networks," she said last week.
"Nevertheless, increased diagnoses has led to increased numbers of potential exposure events."
She described the measure, which came into effect Monday, as "one more layer" of protection.
Henry also announced the province will be releasing a new monthly report, starting this month, about COVID-19 and how it affects school-aged children. She has not given a date for its release.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Andrew Weichel
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.